Reported Rabies Increasing in China

Since 2001, reported human rabies cases have increased in China, attributed primarily to unimmunized dogs and inadequate postexposure treatment.

Rabies still takes an estimated 60,000 lives annually, mostly in developing countries, despite the high effectiveness of postexposure treatment. To examine the situation in China, researchers examined epidemiologic data from the Ministry of Health for 22,527 rabies cases occurring between January 1990 and July 2007. They also analyzed detailed medical records for 244 rabies patients seen in Guangdong Province in 2003 and 2004 to assess the adequacy of postexposure treatment.

Although incidence rates dropped from 1990 through 1996 after nationwide canine rabies-vaccination campaigns, they subsequently rose, reaching 0.20 per 100,000 population in 2004. In 2006, 3279 rabies cases were reported. The highest rates were found in southern regions;…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine